We are getting ready to do some painting in our house. Well, we aren’t doing the painting, we’re hiring a professional, but it still requires a little work from us. Mainly, we are tasked with picking out the colors and finishes for the walls.

Sound easy, right?

Have you ever seen one of those swatch packets the painter leaves with you to pick your colors? It’s usually about 3-4 inches thick and has a rainbow of different options. If you’re looking for a simple white color, there could be up to 20 or more versions of white paint.

Snowbound? Atrium White? Cool December? Moderne White (notice the fancy “e” at the end of the word modern)? Alabaster? Snowfall?

How different from Snowbound can Snowfall really be? I get it if it was called “Yellow Snow” but I’m pretty sure, if it’s supposed to look like snow, it’s gonna look white, right?

And you’re not done once you’ve selected the colors. Now you’re asked to tell them what kind of finish you want. Eggshell? Flat? Semi-gloss? Satin? Matte?

Once the selections have been made, you simply have to trust the process. Will the painters show up on time? Will they prep the areas with mats, tarps, tape, and other safety items? Will the paint look the same as it does on that little 2-inch by 2-inch square or will it look different on a large wall in daylight? What about under the lamps or LED lightbulbs?

From Swatches to Success

So what does this have to do with real estate? Probably more than you think.

How will you stand out? As of last month, there were more than 1.5 million members in the National Association of Realtors. I know there are lots of paint colors but even if you combine all the colors from Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr, Glidden, and any other paint brand, it wouldn’t equal 1.5 million.

What’s the difference? Just like with White Dove and All White, the consumer is going to ask “what’s the difference”? Will you be able to stand out when someone slaps up your work on the wall side by side with one of your competitors? Will your name or style be recognizable by others? Will people remember your name?

Do you work well with others? Great paint colors need to complement their surroundings and really make everyone around them look better. Can the people around you count on you to do what needs to be done?

How strong is your finish? After all the work is done, will people get what they expected? Can you come out looking even better than people thought it would by delivering an amazing experience and earning an awesome testimonial? Most importantly, will you seize the opportunity to earn repeat and referral business?

It’s Time to Paint Your Masterpiece

I’m choosing the colors that work the best for me; Building Relationships, Solving Problems, and Having Fun.

I hope you don’t brush this post off. Instead, I hope it stirs you up.

Grab your brush and start painting.

Someday everything is gonna sound like a rhapsody
When I paint my masterpiece

Bob Dylan

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